Estevan city council gave first reading to a pair of land development bylaws at its meeting April 5.
The first is for two amendments to the existing development appeals board bylaw. When it comes to board numbers, there have been situations in which the city has had less than five members appointed for appeals.
The amended bylaw would stipulate a maximum of five members instead of a minimum of five.
Also, if a developer submits an application that warrants a variance to allow for issues such as additional floor space or building height, there could be a 10 per cent variance, which land development services manager Richard Neufeld said is common. The current zoning bylaw does not allow for any variance powers.
Should a variance request be in excess of 10 per cent and appear reasonable, the only option would be through the development appeals board.
The other bylaw is for a lane closure behind Westview Place. Neufeld said council and administration, along with the adjoining five landowners, have agreed in principle to begin the process of formally closing the laneway, which runs south of Westview Place. The next step is to add the north four metres of the closed laneway to the adjoining lots and the southern two metres of laneway to the adjoining park land.
Land development services manager Richard Neufeld said it likely won’t be brought forward again for a couple of months.
Second and third reading will be needed for both bylaws.
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Council revisited the issue of the proposed Rock-N-Wash car wash facility in the Glen Peterson Industrial Park.
Darrell Mack and Sylvain Blouin from the Rock-N-Wash appeared before council at the March 8 meeting, and asked for support from the city for the project to proceed, and they also sought to be reimbursed $590,105, plus GST, they spent on a lot in the industrial park in 2013. Then they would purchase the lot back for $1, since the city is offering lots in the park for that price.
Council tabled the request to the economic development board at that time to see if there was any way to assist the business. The project did not meet the requirements in order to move a motion to forward for funding through the coal transition committee.
During the presentation last month, Blouin and Mack pointed out that since they did not commence construction within 180 days, as outlined in the purchase agreement they presented, they could receive a return on the balance of the purchase price.
Councillor Travis Frank noted that wasn’t the case in the contract.
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Council approved a tender for the watermain replacement and roadway reconstruction project for Veterans Avenue, from Veterans Crescent to Nicholson Road.
The tender was awarded to Genco Asphalt for $197,340 for preparing sub-grade, then supplying and installing the sub-base, base, asphalt prime and, tack coat asphalt.
The project consists of approximately a 120-metre watermain, and is slated to start July 12. It’s expected to take about a month to complete.
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The dust control program tender was awarded to Fort Distributors for $120,879. The company has supplied and applied the product for the past few years, and the city has been pleased with the results. The price is for two applications in the early summer and early fall, using magnesium chloride.
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Council gave the green light for Moonlight Cannabis to open at 126 Fourth Street, adding a second cannabis retailer to the city. The outlet will share a building with a new drive-thru liquor retailer.
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Councillor Shelly Veroba brought forward an inquiry from a resident who lives near the Dennis Moore Centennial Park. The resident wants to see the water for the spray park left off until noon to reduce the traffic and noise from the park.
Councillor Kirsten Walliser would like to have information on when the washrooms for the parks open, while Councillor Rebecca Foord urged people to take advantage of the parks and all of the good things that are available outdoors, as they are still safe.
